DIVX is …. COOL

Some history. I came into to contact with this little codec (witch stands for compression-decompression) using the various file sharing utilities to trade and swap anime (Japanese Animation). The quality of the video encoded with in my opinion is excellent and the file size is reasonable.

Here is the official lowdown from the creators DivXNetworks™. Gian H.

DivXNetworks™, Inc. is the creator of the revolutionary, patent-pending DivX™ video compression technology as well as a suite of software tools enabling the distribution of DVD-quality video-on-demand (VOD) over broadband networks.

DivX™ is a digital video compression technology based on the ISO MPEG-4 standard. It provides broadband performance that is significantly superior to competitive technologies, allowing DVD-quality downloads of a typical 90-minute feature film in less than 30 minutes through existing broadband connections.

The latest generation of DivX™ video compression technology, the DivX 5.0 codec, serves as the basis for the company's robust product line. The company's flagship product, the DivX Open Video System™, is a complete solution for the distribution of video-on-demand (VOD) over broadband IP networks.

The Open Video System is poised to revolutionize video-on-demand over IP networks by enabling the secure, profitable delivery of full-screen, DVD-quality video. Featuring DivXNetworks "progressive download" technology, the Open Video System allows users to begin viewing a film in full-screen format moments after the download has begun
Ok

DivX™: The MP3 of Video

DivX™ 5.0 is more than just a video compression technology-it's a quantum leap forward that will revolutionize the creation, production and distribution of digital video. The comprehensive suite of tools and advanced features that make up the DivX 5.0 product line redefines the state of the video art and makes it easier than ever to create the best quality video at file sizes optimized for Internet Protocol (IP) network delivery.

The World's Most Popular Video Technology
DivX is the world's most popular video technology, with a passionate and worldwide user base of over 50 million users supporting and using the software. Don't be misled by competing technologies that equate "widely installed" with "popular." No other video technology enjoys the widespread and positive support of DivX video.

Unparalleled Visual Quality and Speed
The core of DivX is a versatile, industrial strength video compression technology built to encode and decode digital video with speed, performance and unsurpassed visual quality. DivX is designed for full-frame, full-screen, high-resolution video content, not postage stamp sized resolutions common with competing video technologies. No other video technology can handle fades, pans, wipes, high-action and low-action with the elegance and reliability of DivX 5.0.

Yet DivX achieves these results at a speed not possible with other technologies. DivX 5.0 achieves two times faster-than-real-time software-based encoding at full-screen resolution, nearly 25% faster than previous versions of DivX technology and up to 100% faster than competing technologies. DivX 5.0 also takes video decoding to new levels of efficiency by enabling real time playback of high-definition video resolutions that match digital cinema projection using no special hardware.

MPEG-4 Compatibility
DivX 5.0 provides everything necessary to decode MPEG-4 Simple Profile and MPEG-4 Advanced Simple Profile (ISO/IEC 14496-2) compliant video streams, making the technology truly "encode once, play anywhere." This makes DivX video ideal for cutting edge video playback devices like embedded systems, set-top boxes, and handheld video players. DivX 5.0 also includes a file conversion utility to convert a DivX video file in the AVI file format into the brand new DivX™ file format based on the MPEG-4 file format.

Advanced Technology
DivX 5.0 includes advanced, state-of-the-art video technology previously only available in research labs. One of these features is the precise and intelligent allocation of data though a revolutionary process called Psychovisual Modeling. Using knowledge of the Human Visual System (HVS), DivX 5.0 assigns a Psychovisual Complexity Rating (PCR) to each video frame, and removes data that can't be seen by human eyes in full-speed video sequences. This technology improves the efficiency of video data allocation and increases the overall video quality.

Download DivX5 Here